Sunday, November 20, 2011

Correct Table Manners


Table manners are very important especially when you are in a formal gathering. If you think people don’t care about etiquette at the table as much as they used to, you have to think it again. One false move that you do is all it takes to turn some people off. So it’s better to know them so that you can be guided than to be embarrassed by doing the wrong one. Stay on and let’s take a look from the tips from Louise Fox of the Etiquette Ladies, Canada’s Etiquette Experts.

1. If you are the recipient of a toast, keep your glass at arm’s length—never drink from it. Instead, simply nod your head and graciously say, “Thank you.”
2. Never take your cocktail to the dinner table.
3. Allow your food to cool on its own—never blow on anything.
4. If you wear lipstick, keep it off your plate and napkin by blotting it as soon as you apply it.
5. our napkin is there for you to dab your mouth only. Do not use it to wipe off lipstick or (God forbid) blow your nose.
6. Keep your elbows off the table at all times.
7. Don’t put your purse, keys, sunglasses, or eyeglasses on the table.
8. Take food out of your mouth the way it went in. If a piece of steak fat went into your mouth with a fork, spit it out onto the fork.
9. Remove an olive pit with your thumb and index finger.
10. Taste everything on your plate before you add salt or pepper.
11. Leave your plate where it is when you are finished with your meal—don’t push it away from you.

    Saturday, November 12, 2011

    Foods That Can Help You Sleep


    Worried about falling asleep tonight? Take a look of the foods that you eat, it might be the cause of not getting enough sleep. Eating the right foods before going to bed may help fall asleep and even improve the quality of your sleep. Have a try of these foods before going to bed in order to get enough sleep. Just a reminder that it is important not to eat two hours before bedtime this is to give your body enough time to properly digest the food.
    Almonds
    Almonds contain magnesium which promotes both sleep and muscle relaxation. It has an added benefit of supplying proteins that can help in maintaining the stability of blood sugar level while sleeping. It also promotes sleep by switching you from your alert adrenaline cycle to your rest and digest cycle. Try this as your bedtime snack.
    Tea
    Drinking tea like chamomile tea and green tea is a safe sleep aid because it contains theanine which helps promote sleep. But be sure it is a decaf green tea.
    Banana
    It is considered as the most powerful fruit because of the benefits it offers to our body. It has an excellent source of magnesium and potassium which help relax the overstressed muscles. It also contains tryptophan which converts to serotonin and melatonin, the brain’s key calming hormones. Have a banana before going to bed and experience a good night sleep.
    Dairy
    Dairies like yogurt, milk and cheese do contain tryptophan, but aside from that it also have a surprising sleep inducing nutrient. It contains calcium which is effective in stress reduction and stabilization of nerve fibers and that includes those in the brain. Eating your favorite yogurt before bed also help you stop worrying about the weird thing that happened during the day.
    Oatmeal
    It is rich in calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, silicon and potassium which are known to support sleep. But go easy on the sweeteners because too much sugar before bed can have an anti-calming effect. Instead, try topping with fruit like banana.

    Hard-Cooked Egg
    We usually eat this during breakfast, but it can be also a good bedtime snack because of its high protein content so you can not only fall asleep but stay asleep.